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Sunday, September 26, 2010

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News of The World/Neil AshtonNOW IT'S Q. PAY. R. QPR players have been guaranteed a staggering £3.2m in bonuses if they win promotion to the Premier League. Details of the stunning incentives have emerged after Neil Warnock's sensational start to the season. The Championship leaders are in line to pocket the mammoth sums as part of their bonus package. Rangers players agreed the structure at the start of the season, but they must play 25 matches to qualify. QPR are top after eight matches and are the overwhelming favourites to win promotion. Boss Warnock has won six promotions in his hugely successful managerial career - but Rangers have not been in the top flight since they were relegated in 1996." News of The World

QPR Official Site - GAFFER: 'FAN-TASTIC SECOND HALF!'- Neil Warnock paid tribute to both his players and the fans, as the R's ran out 3-0 victors against Doncaster Rovers at Loftus Road.

After a goalless first half, a brace from Kaspars Gorkss and a late Adel Taarabt penalty clinched the three points.

"I just thought we had to step up a bit in the second half and we did that," Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk.

"Three or four of our attacking players weren't quite at it in the first half and I told them so at the break.

"But to be fair to the lads, we responded well in the second period.

"The goals came at the right times.

"On the pitch and off it now, we're very much a team."

Warnock added: "I thought the fans stepped up a gear in the second half.

"They got their bums off their seats and roared us on.

"Loftus Road is a great place to play when the fans are raucous like that and it drove us over the line.

"It's great to reward them, because they've been fantastic this season."

Warnock was also keen to pay credit to his back four, adding: "Paddy Kenny made a great save and Clint Hill was on the spot to clear the ball off the line in the first half, and that was massive for us." QPR

QPR Official Site

QPR continued their stunning start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers at Loftus Road this afternoon.

An unlikely brace from centre-back Kaspars Gorkss and an Adel Taarabt penalty sealed maximum points for Neil Warnock's side, and made it a staggering 22 goals scored in eight games.

In a hard-fought fixture, the R's work-rate was again on show as they battled for every ball, while making the most of their opportunities when they duly arrived.

Gorkss opened the scoring in the first half when he reacted quickest after seeing his initial header from a Hogan Ephraim corner blocked, while Taarabt doubled the lead from the spot when Heidar Helguson was brought down in the box by Donny keeper Neil Sullivan.

Late on, our Latvian defender grabbed his second and Rangers' third with a powerful far post header, Taarabt this time supplying the corner.

Warnock stuck with the same starting XI that served him so well last weekend against Leicester City. Fresh from the 2-0 triumph at the Walkers Stadium, Paddy Kenny continued between the sticks, while the back four, from left to right, consisted of Clint Hill, Gorkss, Matt Connolly and Kyle Walker, who was making his home debut after two excellent performances on the road.

Shaun Derry lined up in front of the back four alongside Akos Buzsaky, while Taarabt played just behind the attack.

Interestingly, the in-form Jamie Mackie operated down the middle, swapping with Helguson who played wide on the right, with Ephraim on the opposite flank.

Doncaster came into the match on the back of a four-match unbeaten run, a good reaction from Sean O'Driscoll's side to the 4-0 defeat they suffered at Cardiff City in August.

While Donny have been strong at home so far this term, they have experienced mixed form on their travels, winning on the opening day at Preston before that defeat in Wales was followed with a 2-2 draw at Watford's Vicarage Road.

The R's went into the game high on confidence after a sensational start to the season which has yielded 19 points from seven games, and the R's nearly had the lead in the opening minute in this match following an almighty goalmouth scramble which eventually fell at the feet of Ephraim, but his drive from six yards was blocked and cleared from dangers.

In the fourth minute, George friend miscued his clearance our of play down the Doncaster left, and Helguson was alive to the opportunity, with a quick throw-in finding Mackie in the area but, despite neat footwork, the R's front man was unable to get a shot away.

The R's enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 15 minutes but faced a Doncaster side who were disciplined defensively, often having a number of bodies behind the ball.Considering the start QPR have made to the season, this is something we can expect opposing sides to do at Loftus Road.

But it was the visitors who went closest to opening the scoring on 25 minutes when Martin Woods' stunning free-kick from 22 yards seemed destined for the top corner. Kenny had other ideas, however, and produced an incredible finger-tip save, high to his right.

But the danger wasn't over, with James O'Connor quickest to the rebound from close range. But just as the visitors thought they had broken the deadlock, Hill pulled off an unbelievable, acrobatic goal-line clearance.

On 35 minutes, QPR had their best chance of the game so far, when Walker went on a typical run down the right which Helguson, who had now switched to the centre, picked out with a perfectly weighted pass.

The on-loan Spurs man pulled the ball back for Mackie, but his shot from 10 yards was well saved by Neil Sullivan in the visiting goal.

The half drew to a close with both sides probably feeling they could have had more to show for their efforts.

After the break, QPR took just eight minutes to open the scoring. After some sustained pressure, the R's won a corner on the right.

Ephraim produced an excellent delivery, which Gorkss got on the end of with a powerful header. His initial effort was blocked in a packed six-yard box, but the Latvia captain was quickest to react as he slammed home the rebound to put the R's in front.

Rangers fans were in full voice. With QPR in front, coupled with Chelsea's defeat at Manchester City earlier in the day, the R's were "singing the blues".

The goal seemed to lift the hosts but on 57 minutes the R's had the frame of the goal to thank for protecting their lead. Buzsaky tried to find Walker on the right but his pass was intercepted and, with it, James Coppinger raced down the left before cutting in and curling a beautiful shot beyond the diving Kenny. Fortunately for Warnock's men, it crashed off the crossbar.

It served as a reminder to QPR that this match was far from over against a very good and determined Doncaster side.

With little over 20 minutes to go, the R's almost created the opening for a second. Taarabt went on a typical run in the middle of the park before sliding the ball through for Mackie.

In the area but with his back to goal, Mackie tried to lay off for on the on-rushing Buzsaky, but O'Connor was alive to the danger and cleared.

In truth, chances were few and far between for both sides in a tight affair. However, Rangers thought they had doubled their lead when Taarabt played a delightful ball through a packed penalty area for Ephraim, who coolly slid home. The offside flag was up, however, cutting short QPR's celebrations.

With 15 minutes remaining the outstanding Derry was replaced by Mikele Leigertwood, with the former Crystal Palace man appearing to carry a calf injury as he requested the substitution moments earlier.

While many anticipated this game to be one for the purists, it turned out to be another fixture where hard work and determination were essential. Derry excelled in both.

With ten minutes remaining the R's were given a great chance to increase their lead. Taarabt again picked a perfect through-ball, this time for Helguson, who reached the ball just ahead of Sullivan in the visiting goal.

The R's No. 9 went down under the challenge and referee Mr East rightly awarded a penalty - although, for the third time this season, QPR put the ball in the back of the net by the time they realised they had won a spot-kick!

It was Taarabt who assumed responsibility from 12 yards, sending the keeper the wrong way as he smashed the ball low to Sullivan's right.

At 2-0, the R's faithful were "singing the blues" louder than ever.

At the other end of the pitch, resolute defending from the R's limited Doncaster to shooting from distance, with Woods firing over from the edge of the box.

QPR made it 3-0 late on with another Gorkss goal, this time heading home Taarabt's corner at the far post.

As the game drew to a close, Buzsaky saw his shot from the edge of the box fly wide as QPR's impressive fitness-levels were again evident.

Make no mistake, this was a hard-fought fixture but QPR's incredible work-rate is allowing their star performers to shine while the likes of Derry and Hill quietly - and effectively - go about their work.

Yann Tear/Fulham Chronicle - Gorkss double for QPR sees off DoncasterTHE FIRST goals of the season from Kaspars Gorkss and an Adel Taarabt penalty swept Rangers merrily along towards another three points.

All the goals came in the second half – as was the case against Middlesbrough a fortnight ago – and Gorkss' first was much needed to raise Rangers from their slumber after a docile first half.

The Latvian rose highest to nod an Akos Buzsaky corner goalwards and although a defender got in the way, the ball rebounded kindly for Gorkss to smash in from six yards.

His second came when he headed in a Taarabt corner at the far post on 88 minutes - the ball arriving from the opposite corner to the first.

In between, Adel Taarabt stroked home a second from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time after Heidar Helguson had been upended by Donny's veteran keeper Neil Sullivan.

It should not have come to a spot kick though – ref Roger East having blowing too soon, just as Helguson was recovering his footing to fire into the net.

Rangers were lucky not to be trailing at the interval when only a fingertip touch onto his near post by Paddy Kenny denied Martin Woods a goal from a free-kick and Clint Hill's goal-line clearance thwarted James O'Connor's follow up effort.

It also needed a great block from Shaun Derry inside the area to prevent Donny' Dean Shiels from giving the visitors the lead during a spell in which Rangers had to get plenty of bodies in the way to survive.

Jamie Mackie had few chances to add to his eight goals for the season, but scuffed the best opening of the first half – easily saved by veteran stopper Neil Sullivan – after Kyle Walker had overlapped and sent in a low cross.

James Coppinger hit the Rangers crossbar as Rovers nearly responded immediately to the 53rd minute opener and the muscular running of Billy Sharp gave them hope of rescuing the day.

But in the end, Rangers did not even have an uncomfortable finish to worry about. Taarabt looked more subdued than of late, often running into a cul-de-sac of defenders. But you can't keep a good man down and he converted a penalty that his pass created before Gorkss administered the coup de grace in the final minutes.- Fulham Chronicle

Mail - Rangers remain top and extend unbeaten record with comfortable win over Rovers

Kaspars Gorkss scored twice as npower Championship leaders QPR maintained their 100 per cent home record.The Latvian defender's strike shortly after the break finally broke Doncaster's resistence, and he killed them off with a late header to add to Adel Taarabt's penalty as Rangers edged six points clear at the top.Neil Warnock's side have yet to concede at home and, with seven wins and a draw from their first eight games, have made their best start to a season since 1947.

Rocking Rangers: Taarabt found the nest from the penalty spot as Warnock's side eased passed RoversThey endured a frustrating first half, but whatever Warnock said at half-time had the desired effect as the west Londoners finally clicked into gear after the break.A pedestrian opening period did not spark into life until the 25th minute when Martin Woods' 25-yard free-kick was pushed onto the inside of the post by the diving Paddy Kenny.The ball fell at the feet of James O'Connor, with Kenny still grounded, but the defender's goalbound shot was superbly cleared off the line by the sliding Clint Hill.Rangers finally got a sight of goal after 36 minutes when Spurs loanee Kyle Walker overlapped down the right and and crossed for Jamie Mackie.But the striker, who has scored eight goals in eight league games so far this season, saw his weak shot saved by Neil Sullivan.Taarabt almost produced a goal for Rangers at the start of the second half, but his precise free-kick was headed over the top by Gorkss.But the breakthrough eventually arrived in the 53rd minute when Gorkss met Akos Buzsaky's corner with another firm header.His initial effort was blocked by Rovers right-back Mustapha Dumbaya, but the big centre-half reacted quickest to slam the loose ball past Sullivan.Rangers midfielder Hogan Ephraim had the ball in the net in the 72nd minute but was just offside when he collected Taarabt's pass.But the second goal did arrive in the 81st minute after Heidar Helguson was upended in the area by Sullivan.Helguson got back to his feet and tucked the ball away but referee Roger East had already pointed to the spot.Luckily for the official, Taarabt made no mistake with the penalty.And Gorkss gave the scoreline a flattering look with a powerful header from Taarabt's corner two minutes from time to make the points safe and keep the Rangers bandwagon rolling. Mail

INDEPEDENT/Geoff Brown - League round-up: Warnock's words of warning inspire QPR- Kaspars Gorkss, Queens Park Rangers' Latvian defender, scored twice as the Championship frontrunners made their best start to a season for 63 years. The 3-0 defeat of Doncaster Rovers was their seventh win in an unbeaten eight-match run without a goal conceded at home in four games. - Rovers had the better of the first 45 minutes. "At half-time I told three or four of my major players they were a bit short and needed to step up," Neil Warnock, the QPR manager, said, "and they did." After the break QPR revealed a cutting edge Rovers had lacked when Gorkss fired in a 35th-minute rebound, Adel Taarabt fired in an 81st-minute penalty and seven minutes later Gorkss headed in Taarabt's corner. QPR have opened up a six-point lead..." Independent

Telegraph/Neil Tranis - Queens Park Rangers_ Doncaster Rovers_: match report- A resounding scoreline will hoodwink the ignorant into believing that Queens Park Rangers steamrollered Doncaster Rovers. - The Championship leaders were flattered by their margin of victory but even those who did not witness this encounter will know the West London club continue to crush all obstacles in their path by whatever means. - Transfers: Championship summer 2010They were not fluent and owed their triumph to a brace of goals from Latvian defender Kaspars Gorkss. Six points clear at the top, the notion that Rangers seamlessly scamper away from the rest overwhelms any sense of weakness within their game. - “There will be moments where they won’t win games like that,” said Doncaster manager Sean O’Driscoll. The first half was exasperating for the home side. - "Adel Taarabt, their exuberant playmaker, struggled to decorate his tricks with penetration. The Moroccan was crowded out and over-elaboration does not sit well with those who demand success. - Nonetheless, Doncaster dared not neglect him. When he did escape two markers he was cynically checked by Shelton Martis. - Amid the flying tackles and close defensive attention, Taarabt’s ability to manufacture space still entrances. With no margin for error, a nonchalant back-heeled flick on halfway released Akos Buzsaky. - In the second period Heidar Helguson, on his 300th league appearance, was felled by goalkeeper Neil Sullivan. Taarabt converted the penalty to double his side’s lead. - Expectant paying customers endured plenty of fervour without a cutting edge for long spells. Kyle Walker, on loan from Spurs, was keen to sprint up the right flank from full-back but deliveries into the box were at a premium. - Invention did not pierce often enough for Neil Warnock’s liking but victory soothed those anxieties. “You’ve got to keep grinding away. We’re difficult to play against,” he said. - Doncaster, a collection of underrated footballers who have raised eyebrows, menaced. - The game was goalless when Martin Woods’ free kick was pushed on to a post by Paddy Kenny. James O’Connor’s follow-up was cleared off the line. - The visitors were not robust enough when it mattered. Taarabt’s corner at the start of the second half found Gorkss, whose effort was blocked. The defender slammed in the rebound. James Coppinger struck the bar for Doncaster but Gorkss headed in another Taarabt corner. - This was not memorable but their rivals find it arduous to reveal telling flaws in QPR. Telegraph